News / National
Two cops charged with extortion
22 Apr 2013 at 22:11hrs | Views
Two police officers who solicited for US$6 000 from a Harare vegetable and fruit shop owner yesterday appeared in court charged with extortion.
Oswald Mufandarambwa (27) and Lawrence Mateva (24) who are both stationed at Mabelreign Police Station in Harare demanded the money from one Sharon Hobber who is the
owner of Valley Fresh Shop in Strathaven.
The pair pleaded not guilty to the offence when they appeared with their lawyer Mr Rungano Mahuni before Harare magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei.
Mr Ndirowei remanded the pair to May 16 on condition that they pay US$100 bail each.
As part of their bail conditions, they were ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and reside at their given addresses.
Prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira alleges that on March 25 this year, Mufandarambwa, Mateva and their accomplices identified as Bongani Majakwara and Delish Nguwaya allegedly received information that a lorry containing smuggled perishables was on its way from South Africa. The goods were allegedly going to be offloaded in Strathaven, Harare.
They drove to Valley Fresh Shop after Majakwara offered them transport, the court heard.
They allegedly approached Zimra officials named Phineas Nyamhunga and Tawanda Ndudzo and introduced themselves as detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department.
Mr Chakurira said they sought their assistance in vetting the consignment before they proceeded to the shop in the company of Zimra officials. On arrival, the court was told, the truck was about to offload perishable fruits and it was discovered that one document was missing and had been left in Beitbridge.
Afterwards, Nyamhunga and Ndudzo left while Mufandarambwa and Mateva remained with the truck and called the company director whom they threatened with seizure of the lorry with its perishable goods, the court heard.
They told the director they would not do so if he could give them some money, it is alleged. Mufandarambwa and Mateva drove to Newlands Shopping Centre with the shop manager Taurai Mapeza who was given the US$6 000 by Hobber and handed it to the two police officers. Hobber suffered a US$6 000 prejudice and nothing was recovered.
Oswald Mufandarambwa (27) and Lawrence Mateva (24) who are both stationed at Mabelreign Police Station in Harare demanded the money from one Sharon Hobber who is the
owner of Valley Fresh Shop in Strathaven.
The pair pleaded not guilty to the offence when they appeared with their lawyer Mr Rungano Mahuni before Harare magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei.
Mr Ndirowei remanded the pair to May 16 on condition that they pay US$100 bail each.
As part of their bail conditions, they were ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and reside at their given addresses.
Prosecutor Mr Tungamirai Chakurira alleges that on March 25 this year, Mufandarambwa, Mateva and their accomplices identified as Bongani Majakwara and Delish Nguwaya allegedly received information that a lorry containing smuggled perishables was on its way from South Africa. The goods were allegedly going to be offloaded in Strathaven, Harare.
They drove to Valley Fresh Shop after Majakwara offered them transport, the court heard.
They allegedly approached Zimra officials named Phineas Nyamhunga and Tawanda Ndudzo and introduced themselves as detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department.
Mr Chakurira said they sought their assistance in vetting the consignment before they proceeded to the shop in the company of Zimra officials. On arrival, the court was told, the truck was about to offload perishable fruits and it was discovered that one document was missing and had been left in Beitbridge.
Afterwards, Nyamhunga and Ndudzo left while Mufandarambwa and Mateva remained with the truck and called the company director whom they threatened with seizure of the lorry with its perishable goods, the court heard.
They told the director they would not do so if he could give them some money, it is alleged. Mufandarambwa and Mateva drove to Newlands Shopping Centre with the shop manager Taurai Mapeza who was given the US$6 000 by Hobber and handed it to the two police officers. Hobber suffered a US$6 000 prejudice and nothing was recovered.
Source - TH
